Oyo State Police have arrested a pastor and one other person for spreading a false report about a bandit attack.
According to police spokesperson Ayanlade Olayinka, Amos Muyiwa, a pastor, recorded and shared a WhatsApp voice note claiming bandits invaded Lamini community in Ido LGA and killed 6 people. The audio went viral on social media and triggered fear across the area.
Police said they immediately sent tactical teams to Lamini after the report surfaced. On ground, they found no evidence of any attack or deaths. “It was conclusively established that the purported bandit invasion never occurred,” Olayinka stated.
Forensic investigation traced the voice note back to Muyiwa. He admitted he created and shared it without verifying the facts. Police then tracked the original source of the claim to Mulikat Bashiru, who was also arrested. Both suspects are cooperating with investigators.
The Oyo command warned that spreading fake news threatens public order and wastes security resources. “Such actions cause panic, erode public confidence, and distract from real emergencies,” the statement read.
Residents were urged to verify information through official channels before sharing. Police added that anyone caught originating false reports will be prosecuted under the law.
This comes days after Lagos Police arrested 15 people over a similar false bandit invasion claim that led to mob violence and the killing of a motorcyclist.
